Best lemon recipes: baking with lemons

Nothing lightens a buttery pudding, or adds zing to a dense baked cheesecake like a lemon. This cheap and plentiful fruit is one of our favourites in baked goods, transforming cakes and tarts and adding zing to biscuits and curds. Pick up a range of new recipes and discover the many ways of transforming this tart fruit into a delicious sweet treat.

How to bake with lemons

This zingy, sour fruit is one of the most loved flavours in a range of baked goods. When buying, choose plump, brightly coloured lemons that feel heavy for their size and use within two weeks. If using the rind, wash lemons under hot water and scrub with a stiff brush to remove any wax coating that may have been applied to the fruit. Store lemons at room temperature and use within two weeks.

How to juice a lemon

Place the lemon on a hard work surface and gently roll it backwards and forwards to break up the inner membranes and release the juice. When done it should be soft and give a little when squeezed. Cut the lemon in half and use a handheld citrus juicer to release the juice. If you don't have a juicer, insert a fork into the middle of the cut fruit. Push and twist the tines into the membranes while squeezing the fruit to release the juice.

How to zest a lemon

If you're using waxed lemons, start by scrubbing off the wax under hot water with a stiff brush. To make light work of removing the zest, consider investing a handheld microplane-style grater, which will quickly remove the zest while leaving the bitter pith behind. For larger strips of lemon zest, use a vegetable peeler to remove large pieces of rind, then use a small, sharp knife to get rid of any white pith. Finish by cutting the zest into thin strips lengthways.

Lemon curd (lemon butter)

No fridge should be without a jar of this delicious spread. It is also incredibly versatile, and can be added to whipped cream to make instant lemon mousse, spooned into a tart shell to make a lemon tart or sandwiched in a sponge cake. Lemon curd is made by gently cooking a mixture of fresh lemon juice, sugar, butter, and eggs until thickened.

Lemon meringue pie

Pretty as a picture, a lemon meringue pie is a party show-stopper that is hard to beat. For best results choose a recipe that uses an Italian meringue: where hot sugar syrup is added to whipped egg whites and the whole thing is beaten until it creates a glossy meringue. This process stabilises the meringue and cooks the raw egg, ensuring that the meringue stays in place and that there's no risk of anyone getting ill from raw egg. This pie is best eaten on the day it's made, but will keep for a couple of days if stored in the fridge.

Lemon tart

This café-classic is the ideal way to use up a pastry case and can be as simple as spoon lemon curd into a premade case. For an extra special touch, try sprinkling the top with sugar and caramelising it using a kitchen blowtorch. The added texture contrasts beautifully with the cool, smooth cream, adding even more flavour to this classic.

Lemon pudding

A self-saucing pudding isn't always about excess, and with this lemon version you can have all the comfort without the heaviness. For a light-as-air sponge make sure you whip the egg whites to stiff peaks before folding them through the pudding mix. This will create the sponge topping and help form the gooey lemon custard below.

Lemon cakes and cupcakes

There is an endless supply of classic lemon cake recipes, from the zesty loaves to the sticky syrup cakes. Ideal at anytime, and a perfect companion to a cup of tea, lemon cakes and their newest incarnation - cupcakes - are especially well suited to a special afternoon tea.

Lemon slices and biscuits

Opt for one of these delicious lemon biscuits or slices to serve for afternoon tea. Of all these recipes, it is the classic lemon slice that is perhaps the most loved. Here, tangy lemon juice and zest is mixed with condensed milk, coconut and chunks of biscuit to create a slice that is sure to bring back lots of childhood memories.

Take your camping trip up a notch with these deliciously easy recipes you'd...

Take your camping trip up a notch with these deliciously...

Take your camping trip up a notch with these deliciously easy recipes you'd never think to cook on a campfire. From saucy skewers to gooey chocolate treats, prepare to see jaws drop with these scrummy delights.

Best Recipes can be viewed on multiple devices

A note about relevant advertising

We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it
to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.
This is also known as Online Behavioural Advertising. You can find out more about our policy
and your choices, including how to opt-out here.